Check out these handmade, reusable totes!

Last week’s Inside & Out article about making a reusable shopping bag was a hit among readers. Many shared how they stopped using plastic bags several years ago in an attempt to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Others showed off pictures of their own green totes made by hand from such materials as old jeans, fabric scraps and even other plastic bags. Check out their “eco-chic” bags below for inspiration.

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Natalie Dybzinski of Fort Collins made this cool bag out of other plastic sacks including some from King Soopers and Target. “I pressed (ironed) them with wax paper on both sides. Then I hand-sewed it together with black thread. I have thrown in smaller things like (my) wallet (and) lip gloss… and taken it with me as I head out the door. Next time, I would probably use a sewing machine. It was just kind of a thing to keep me occupied while my husband watched March Madness.”

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Carmel Tommins’ bag featuring a luscious cupcake design is almost good enough to eat. She sells her bags for $10 plus shipping at ctommins@msn.com. “I saw a cupcake applique in a magazine. I thought it was very cute and cupcakes seem to be a style that is “in” these days, as is polka dots.”

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Jean Osborn and her friend Donna designed this bag which folds up and can be stored in you glove compartment.

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Lee Ann Luljak-Fair likes to give these hand-painted canvas bags as gifts. “I used recycled wine corks as stamps for the fabric paint. I cut the cork in half for the leaves and used a whole cork for the cherries. I then used a narrow brush for the stems. They hold up nicely, and I get compliments while having my groceries packed!”

Diane Watkins, of Laporte, has a sewing room filled with repurposed creations such as garden decor made from old water bed head boards, bath mats and entrance welcome mats made from old towels, dish clothes from old terry cloth, pot holders and hot pads from fabric scraps and patchwork throw pillows from decorator sample swatch books. It makes perfect sense that her fashionable shopping totes would be made from old jeans. “Our personal savings from carrying these bags averages l4-l6 plastic bags per week, plus everywhere we shop we are given ten cents a bag. I have liberated the floor of the pantry. Cost of material: 0 Attention my husband gets from the other shoppers and cashiers: Priceless.” To purchase items from Diane, contact her at dmwatkins01@aol.com. Three different styles of bags are shown above. Here’s directions for the quickest and easiest:

Cut the legs off a pair of worn blue jeans just above where the legs join. Cut the sides of the body portion and form two rectangles, keeping the pockets, zipper and waist band pieces in tact and removing the side seams and rivets that may be in the pockets. Cut another rectangle from the leg fabric, or piece together usable pieces the width of the top rectangles.

Sew and top stitch the leg piece to both bottoms forming an oblong piece of denim with a piece of the waist band on each end.

Match the waist bands to each other with pockets on the inside and pin at the edges. Fold a pleat about 3 inches where the fold is, so the side view looks like a “W”.. The size of the pleat will dictate how wide the bottom of the bag will be.

Sew from the waist band with a half inch seam allowance, straight to the bottom, catching the pleat. Sew the other side, (I double stitch for strength) and then turn right side out. This will create a standing bag with a flat rectangle bottom.

Take three strands of recycled hay bail twine that has been washed and dried. Braid them and cut in half to make the handles. Tie them onto the belt loops at the length that is comfortable to carry without dragging on the ground, but can still go over the shoulder.

I personally am not very good at hands-on projects. I have written about some stores where I’ve found great, inexpensive reusable bags. But I also like these tips from Beth Engelman, the creator of momonashoestring.com, for ‘shopping’ my closets for cheap and chic reusable shopping bags.

Cosmetics cases: Reuse those free pouches you’ve received after a purchase at your favorite cosmetics counter. “You might not be on the beaches of St. Tropez, but a beach tote full of organic fruit is quite possibly the next best thing,” Engelman says.

After the kids grow out of diapers, don’t throw away those good-sized diaper bags. They are perfect for carrying groceries and other store bought items. “Chic moms know that diaper bags have nothing to do with dirty diapers,” Engelman says.

Kids backpacks: Last year’s school book bag can be this year’s grab-and-go bag for groceries, library books and videos.

Old Purses: That oversized hobo bag that was a fashion must-have five years ago can now carry plenty of cereal boxes home from the grocery store.

Painted and laminated brown paper bags: Take the bag to a store that has a large laminator such as Fed Ex Kinko’s or a teacher’s supply store. Laminate the bag, then use sharp scissors to slit open the bag’s opening, along with the sides and bottom, so it opens properly. The result is just as functional as a plane brown paper bag but “definitely prettier,” Engelman said.

I loved all these bags. I’ve started making some of my own with my students, and it is fun to be creative. Pockets are great starters for making bags – especially back pockets that have flaps or buttons. Skirts are also easily converted into bags.

Karen

I loved all these bags. I’ve started making some of my own with my students, and it is fun to be creative. Pockets are great starters for making bags – especially back pockets that have flaps or buttons. Skirts are also easily converted into bags.